Dublin Bus drivers will be banned from listening to the radio while they’re working from Monday.

Dublin Bus drivers were given a letter from management yesterday with their pay packets, saying they could face the sack if they are caught listening to a radio while they’re behind the wheel.

The National Bus and Rail Union has said that they will refuse to accept the new ban on transistor radios.

NBRU secretary Brian young said: “Failure to withdraw the above item from the list will result in this union advising all members not the use the two way radio system except in dire emergency situations where personal safety is at risk.”

He added that they will also bring the dispute to the Workplace Relations Commission.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1’s Liveline this evening, angry drivers also hit out at the new ban.

Colm Meagher said: “I’m personally not aware and neither are my colleagues, after 21 years with the company of any accidents or incidents in relation to radios playing in the past...

“To a driver, particularly those who might be working in the evening when it’s a little bit quieter or on longer runs, it’s certainly a welcome comfort to have some music or chat show on as you’re driving along.”

He continued to say that many drivers feel that the ruling is a slap in the face.

He explained: “The drivers over the last few years, particularly during the recession, kept the company afloat.

“To be treated this way, it appears that the company has a very short memory of what the drivers did over these particularly difficult years.”

Dublin Bus said in a statement: “Further to your query, Dublin Bus has a longstanding policy prohibiting the use of mobile phones and electronic devices while driving. This is part of driver safety training.

“We are now implementing a zero-tolerance policy to reinforce this message to employees.”